Staff and Students Call for Governor Monday Okpebholo Intervention Over Administrative Collapse, Violence, and Alleged Governing Council Irregularities
A University in Crisis
Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, is facing a full-blown institutional crisis. Staff and students—under the banner of Concerned Stakeholders—have raised the alarm over systemic failures crippling the institution’s academic calendar and threatening the safety and credibility of the university.
In a strongly worded joint statement signed by Harry Ebosele and Pedro Iyamu, the stakeholders called for the immediate resignation of key university leaders over their handling of the Computer-Based Examinations (CBE), the resulting unrest, and alleged irregularities in the selection of principal officers.
Computer-Based Exam Failures and Unrest
At the heart of the crisis lies the consistent mismanagement of the CBE system. Stakeholders pointed to repeated delays, poor coordination, and ineffective oversight as the root cause of the chaos that has engulfed the campus. The situation spiraled on July 1, 2025, when angry students shut down the university gate in protest. The following day, violent clashes broke out between students from the Faculty of Engineering and the Department of Mass Communication, leaving several injured and property damaged.
According to the statement, “These failures have fostered an atmosphere of frustration, confusion, and mistrust,” with the stakeholders laying blame squarely on the Director of ICT, Chairman of the CBE Committee, and the Vice Chancellor, whose “consistent inability to implement a credible, transparent, and efficient examination process has gravely tarnished the reputation of our institution.”
CBE Committee Memo: A Silent Admission of Failure
A memo issued by the CBE Committee, signed by Prof. C. U. Onianwa, announced a one-week postponement of the ongoing continuous assessment due to “incessant disruptions.” The memo reads in part:
“Following incessant disruptions by students at the venue of the ongoing Continuous Assessment, the University Management has directed the postponement of the test by one week (i.e., until Thursday, 10th July, 2025)…”
For the stakeholders, this memo is “a clear admission that the University Management and the ICT Directorate have lost administrative control.”
Uncontested Facts the University Cannot Deny
In response to the university’s Public Relations Officer’s rejoinder, stakeholders presented the following as uncontested facts:
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There was indeed a protest at the university gate on July 1, 2025.
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Both full-time and part-time students participated.
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Continuous assessments were held five months into the semester due to delays.
“These facts underscore the urgent need for transparency, accountability, and meaningful intervention,” they added.
Alleged Irregularities in Governing Council Appointments
Beyond examinations, the stakeholders raised serious concerns about recent appointments by the University Governing Council chaired by Chief Dan Orbih. Allegations include:
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Selection processes that ignored due process and bypassed the most qualified candidates.
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Appointment of a Librarian from Ekiti State, despite the preference for indigenes with relevant experience.
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The Bursar’s selection process allegedly manipulated to favour a preferred candidate linked to the Council Chair, despite his failure to meet the stated qualifications.
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A botched Registrar selection process, as their preferred candidate (allegedly tied to former VC Prof. Onimawo) performed poorly.
The unions within the university reportedly submitted petitions to the Governing Council Chairman urging him to cancel the selection process due to these irregularities. To date, they say, no response has been received.
A Plea to the Governor
The stakeholders are now appealing directly to His Excellency,Governor Monday Okpebholo, for an urgent intervention.
“We urge you to appoint a competent crisis manager to lead the institution in alignment with your administration’s vision for quality, accountability, and excellence in education.”
They referenced recent government interventions in other institutions—University of Abuja, UNIZIK, and University of Calabar—where governing councils were dissolved and principal officers replaced to restore order.
A Call for Decisive Action
The petitioners are calling for:
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Resignation of the Director of ICT
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Resignation of the CBE Committee Chairman
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Resignation of the Vice Chancellor
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Dissolution of the current Governing Council
“Ambrose Alli University deserves a leadership that is capable, ethical, visionary, and student-centered—one that upholds the integrity of the academic process and restores public trust.”
Signed:
Harry Ebosele
Pedro Iyamu
Concerned Stakeholders—Staff and Students
Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma
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